How To Connect a Wireless Mouse and Keyboard to a Smart TV?
What To Know
- Various mice (wired, Bluetooth, USB-RF) and keyboards (wired, wireless) can be connected to Smart TVs, typically involving straightforward steps like plugging in or Bluetooth pairing.
- Compatibility and functionality with external mice and keyboards differ among Smart TV brands (Samsung, Sony, LG), with some brands providing better integration and navigation capabilities.
- Gamepads like PS4 and Xbox controllers can be connected to Smart TVs via Bluetooth, but their effectiveness as TV remotes varies depending on the TV brand.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to connect a range of input devices to your TV, including Bluetooth and wired keyboards, as well as Bluetooth, wired, and USB-RF mice.
I’ll also provide a bonus section on connecting a gamepad to your TV via Bluetooth.
Insights from our testing will explain why a keyboard may be preferable over a mouse or game controller for various TV brands such as Samsung, Sony, and LG.
Let’s dive in!
Quick Navigation
How To Connect A Mouse to a TV?
Connecting a mouse to your Smart TV can make it easier to navigate between channels or streaming services. Let’s talk about how to connect a wired or wireless mouse to your TV.
Wired Mouse
Using a wired mouse is the easiest method for using a mouse with your Smart TV. It’s a simple matter of plugging the mouse in.
All you have to do is locate the TV’s rear USB port and plug in the mouse’s USB cable. Just like that, your mouse is ready to use.
Keep in mind that not all TVs respond equally to having a mouse plugged in. For your convenience, we’ve conducted tests on various Smart TVs to see which ones have the best mouse-to-TV connections.
Read on for the results of these tests later in the article, or skip ahead now for a quick look at the results.
Wireless Mouse Using Bluetooth
Connecting a wireless mouse takes a few additional steps, and these steps can vary depending on the type of Smart TV you have.
For the purpose of this article, we will use a Logitech MX Anywhere 2S wireless mouse. The steps for connecting your wireless mouse will be the same regardless of the model or brand of mouse you have.
To connect:
Step 1: Enable Bluetooth
First, you’ll need to turn on your TV and make sure Bluetooth is enabled. You’ll find this feature under Settings, but the location of the Bluetooth setting will vary depending on your TV model.
- For a Sony TV: Go to Settings → Remote & Accessories → Bluetooth. Turn the Bluetooth setting to On.
- For an LG TV: There are a few more steps involved. Go to All Settings → General → Devices → External Devices → Connect Bluetooth Controller. Each of these steps is shown in the following images:
- For a Samsung TV: You will follow a similar set of steps. Go to Settings → General → External Device Manager → Input Device Manager → Bluetooth Device List. Again, check out the following images for a step-by-step visual guide:
Step 2: Turn on Bluetooth on Your Mouse
After you’ve enabled Bluetooth on your TV, you’ll need to turn on the Bluetooth feature on your wireless mouse.
There should be a button on the side or bottom of your mouse that is marked with the word “Bluetooth” or the Bluetooth symbol.
Press and hold this button until the light beside it starts flashing. This indicates that the mouse is in pairing mode and ready to connect to the TV.
Step 3: Find the Mouse on Your TV’s Device List
On your TV, navigate to the Bluetooth Device List. Any Bluetooth-enabled devices in the area should appear on the list.
Check to make sure your mouse’s name is on the device list. Look for the mouse’s model name, then click to pair it with your TV.
Once pairing is complete, it should indicate on the TV screen that the mouse is paired with the TV. At this point, you are ready to use the mouse with your Smart TV.
Wireless Mouse Using USB-RF
Instead of using Bluetooth, some wireless mice can be used via a USB-RF connection.
The USB-RF mouse is as easy to use as a wired mouse, offering an easy “plug-and-play” experience that eliminates the need for complex settings. However, it still offers the convenience of a wireless experience.
Let’s talk about how to connect a USB wireless mouse to your Smart TV:
Step 1: Plug it In
Locate the USB port on your Smart TV. It will most likely be on the back or side of the TV. Plug the mouse’s USB receiver into this port.
Step 2: Turn on the Mouse
Make sure your mouse is turned on before you try to use it. Flip your mouse over to locate the On/Off button.
This should be on the side or bottom of the mouse depending on the model or brand.
Once the mouse is turned on and the receiver is plugged in, you’re ready to use the mouse with your Smart TV!
The Result
As noted earlier in this article, we tested out the wired mouse, Bluetooth mouse, and USB-RF mouse with different TVs to see which TV would work best when paired with mice. We used three popular Smart TV brands: Samsung, Sony, and LG.
In short, all of the mice behaved quite similarly regardless of the TV it was paired with. That said, there were a few differences.
On the Samsung TV, all of the mice had limited functionality. They were only effective when used with the web browser. This caused them to function much like a mouse paired with a computer web browser.
Meanwhile, on the Sony and LG TVs, the mice worked much better. They experienced broader navigation abilities. It was possible to access the menu, settings, and various apps, such as YouTube or Spotify, using the mice.
How To Connect Wired & Wireless Keyboards to Smart TVs?
Though connecting a mouse to your Smart TV can be effective, you may experience better results by connecting a keyboard. Keyboards offer greater functionality and are more capable than mice of effectively replacing the TV remote.
Note: We tested both the wired and wireless keyboards with Sony, Samsung, and LG brand TVs, and both keyboards performed identically with all three brands. Jump to the details below, or keep reading to find out how to connect wired and wireless keyboards to your TV.
Wired Keyboard
Connecting a wired keyboard is very similar to connecting a wired mouse–and every bit as simple.
All you have to do is plug the USB cable from the keyboard into the USB port at the side or back of the TV, and you’re ready to go.
Wireless Keyboard
The most convenient keyboard to use with your Smart TV is a wireless, or Bluetooth, keyboard. You can pair this with a wireless mouse for maximum functionality.
Wireless devices are portable, enabling you to use them anywhere within the range of the Bluetooth signal without the use of bulky or inconvenient cords and wires.
Note: the Bluetooth connection range is 33 feet (10 meters).
For the purpose of this article, we’ll be using the Logitech Logi K380 keyboard . Again, the model or brand you use doesn’t matter; the steps for connecting it will be the same.
Here are the steps for making the connection:
Step 1: Enable Bluetooth
Turn the TV on and make sure that the Bluetooth feature is enabled. As noted earlier, this setting’s location will vary depending on the model of TV you have.
- For a Sony TV: Go to Settings → Remote & Accessories → Bluetooth. Make sure the Bluetooth button is turned On to enable Bluetooth on your TV.
- For an LG TV: Go to All Settings → General → Devices → External Devices → Connect Bluetooth Controller. Check out the images below for a visual guide to this process:
- For a Samsung TV: Go to Settings → General → External Device Manager → Input Device Manager → Bluetooth Device List. Follow the images below:
Step 2: Turn on Bluetooth on your Keyboard
Next, you’ll need to enable the Bluetooth feature on your keyboard. Turn the keyboard on, then press and hold the Bluetooth button until the light begins flashing.
Step 3: Pair the TV and the Keyboard
On your TV, navigate to the Bluetooth Device List and locate your keyboard’s name.
Select your keyboard and click on the Pair & Connect option. This will initiate the Bluetooth connection between your keyboard and The Smart TV.
Step 4: Enter the Code
Once the keyboard and TV are paired, a prompt will appear on your TV. This prompt will direct you to enter a code that will appear on the TV using your keyboard. Type the code and press enter/return on your keyboard to submit the code.
Once you complete all of the steps above, you will be able to control your TV using the keyboard as a remote.
However, it may be easier to use a keyboard in this way with some TVs and more challenging with others.
For example, on Sony TV, the keyboard buttons work simply and seamlessly.
On the other hand, when the keyboard is paired with an LG or Samsung TV, the button functions are far more complex and less intuitive.
For instance, to increase the volume, you need to press the Fn + F10 buttons.
We’ve identified which buttons on the keyboard must be used for certain functions. We’ll explain how to use them in the following sections.
You can also check out the helpful tutorial below for reference.
Mapping Keyboard Buttons to TV Functions
Sony
For using a keyboard with your Sony Smart TV, become familiar with these symbols and their corresponding functions to control your TV.
LG
The Logitech keyboard we used doesn’t function as intuitively with LG TVs.
In many apps, letters can’t be typed using the keyboard. Instead, you will have to navigate a grid of letters using directional buttons, hitting Enter for each letter–much like using a TV remote.
What’s more, the keyboard lacks a “go back” button. When watching videos on YouTube, for example, you can’t easily return to your search results to select a different one.
Check out the outline below to find out what the keyboard can do when connected to an LG TV.
Samsung
When paired with a Samsung TV, the Logitech keyboard operates differently than it does with the other TVs we tested. You can use the keyboard to navigate to the home menu and adjust the volume.
To do this, however, you need to press and hold the Fn button, then select the appropriate function buttons.
Check out the detailed mapping table below.
Bonus: Connecting a Gamepad to Your TV
In this bonus section, we will guide you through the steps of connecting a gamepad or game controller to your TV using a Bluetooth connection.
For the purpose of this article, we will be connecting the PS4 controller and the Xbox controller.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Enable Bluetooth
As always, you’ll first need to make sure the Bluetooth feature on your TV is enabled. You’ll find this feature in your settings as described in detail earlier in this article.
Step 2: Turn on Bluetooth on Your Controller
Next, find the Bluetooth button on your controller and turn it on. This will ensure that it’s ready to be paired with your TV.
- For a PS4 controller: press and hold the PS + share button until you see the light flashing white.
- For the Xbox controller: press and hold the Bluetooth button located on the front of the controller until the light begins to flash.
Step 3: Pair the Controller with the TV
Find the Bluetooth Device List on your TV and make sure it displays the name of the gamepad you are connecting.
Click on the gamepad to pair it with your Smart TV.
Our Verdict
When paired with Sony and Samsung TVs, both PS4 and Xbox controllers work great. You can easily use them both as replacements for your regular TV remote.
However, when paired with LG TVs, these game controllers do not work as remotes; they can only be used for gaming.
Check out the table below for a quick comparison of these controllers when used with Samsung, Sony, and LG TV brands.
| TV Brand | Compatible with PS4 controller | Compatible with Xbox controller |
| Sony | ✔ | ✔ |
| LG | x | x |
| Samsung | ✔ | ✔ |
Sony
The following buttons operated as a replacement for a TV remote on a Sony TV.
PS4:
Xbox:
LG
As noted, when paired with LG TVs, both controllers can only be used for gaming.
Neither controller can control the TV; the gamepad can only be used for playing games that are installed on your LG Smart TV.
Samsung
Both the Xbox and PS4 controllers work easily with the TV, allowing you to navigate menus and apps.
The control buttons are straightforward and easy to use. Below, we’ve provided a mapped function guide for your convenience.
PS4:
Xbox:
Conclusion
And there you have it. By following the steps in this guide, you can easily pair a wired or wireless mouse or keyboard to your Smart TV. You can also connect a PS4 or Xbox game controller via Bluetooth to use it in place of a remote.
Sarah Hood has been a freelance writer since 2020. She has a knack for laptops and processing systems, though she enjoys writing on many topics. When she’s not crafting her latest article, you can find her spending time in her garden or hanging out with family and friends.
Tai “Ty” Luu, an Electronics Engineering graduate from Sheridan College, is a passionate technical editor with a deep love for technology and gaming. He constantly seeks new challenges to expand his expertise in the tech and gaming fields.